Data Domain reckons its the first software to allow file locking for IT regulatory mandates using high throughput inline deduplication.

Retention Lock can bolt down data on a per-file basis, with adjustable limits for how long it's kept under key. During that period, users can't change or delete the files — but admins still can move them about and change the data's security and retention settings.

That's good news if security requirements or policies up and change on a customer, or if some files must be deleted (under court order, of course).

The lock can be applied to any file on Data Domain's boxes regardless of the application or data tier they come from. Locked files can also be replicated for disaster recovery.

Retention Lock works on current archiving tools from EMC, CommVault, Symantec, AXS-One and DataGlobal.

The software is available now to customers running Data Domain OS 4.5. Pricing starts at $500 for its branch-office DD120 de-dupe appliance, and $24,000 for its enterprise DD690g box. ®